Fruit turning and centering device



Aug. 18, 1942. l

E. R. DupLsmJ FRUIT TURNING AND. CQNTEFQING DEVICE Filed March 6, i940 s sheets-sheet 1 lNvr-:NTOR i EDMUND RDUDLEY, JE. BYv

ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1942. an. DUDLEY. JR'

RUIT TURNING AND CENTERING DEVICE Filed March 6, ,1940

s sneetsfspeeic 2 INVENTOR [DMn/vp E. Dumb-Kw2.

ATTORN EY Aug'. 18, .1942.

Filed March cs,A 1940 E. R. DUDLY, JR FRUIT TURNING ND ,DEVICE y Ei Q Z 52a 9/ 4Z- E i 9, l l l' 5A as" *i 'i' f "o". L 1| l l x I l 52d# Wd! INVENTOR EDMND ZDUDLEY, .72.

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 18, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE `Edmond E. Dudley, Jr., Napa, Calif., assignor of one-fourth to Le Roy" Hanscom, Berkeley,

Calif.

Application March 6, 1940, Sreral No. ,322,467

1o claims.

This invention relates to automatic cherry hitters and partculaly t means for automatically positioning the cherries with respect to their laxes priorto the actual pitting operation.

All cherries ,are formed with adepression at their stem ends `concentric with the axes of the cherries, the pulp of lthe cherries andthe pits being substantially co-axial. Most cherries have two relatively fiat opposed sides, the suture or `rib of the pits ordinari-ly lying in a plane perpen- ,dicular to these relatively natsides. Royal Anne cherries, the variety most commonly used for ,making maraschino cherries, have exceptionally Iflat pits, advantage of which may be taken in Vpitting them.

For most purposes it iS immaterial through which side ofthe cherry the pit `is removed. However .in making maraschino cherries a symmetri- .cal product of pleasing appearance ,is desired, and therefore it is essentialto remove the pits of these cherries in some predetermined and uniform manner.Y

In general, the object of this invention is the provision of fluid operated means for turning cherries on an endlessconveyor so that prior to coming into registration with the pitting knives or plunger-s they assume a position either with their stems downwardly directed or with their flat sides lying in planes perpendicular to the line of .travel of the pitting knives.

More specifically, the object of this invention is the provision of an endless conveyor having cherry-.receiving `recesses through which jets of water or other fluid may be forced either/for the purpose of turning the cherries accommodated within such recesses until the stem ends of the cherries assume a downwardly directed position ,or for `the purpose of turning the cherries with their flat sides perpendicular tothe line of travel of the pitting knives.

Another object of this invention is the provision, in combination with an endless conveyor formed Ywith cherry-receiving recesses, of fluid means for turning the cherries in said recesses and of uid means for effecting a downwardly directed differential pressure on said cherries when their stem ends have been disposed in a downwardly directed position.

The invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which with the foregoing Will be set forth at length in the ,following description where that form ofthe invention which hasbeen selected for illustration inthe drawings accompanying and forming. a part ofthe present speci- Lncation is `outlined in full. In `said drawings, one` form yof the invention is shown, but it is to be understood that'itis not limited to such form, sinced the invention as setforth'in the claims may be enhodied in a plurality 'of forms.

" Referring t thfdawings:

Figure is a longitudinal mid-vertical section of the feed nd ofaclrrypitter embodying the objects of my invention land shovvn associated with a feed hopper.

Figure 2v is"a similar section of the discharge or lplttirlgerid of the sitter shown in Figure 1;

Figure? is arienlarged' section taken on the line 3-3 ofFigure 1'.w

Figure 4 is an enlarged section taken on .the line 4,-@ of VFigure 2.'

4Figure 5 an enlarged section of one of the conveyor elements showing a cherry accommodated yvithirifone of litsrecssespriorto the turning sperati@ Figure 6 a section similar to `that shown in Figure 5 `lout showing .thefclherryduring the turn- ,incoperaton- Figure '7 is likewise a section similar to that shown in Figure Sibut 'showing' the'oherry after the turning @eration has been Completed 'with its Stem end downwardly flcieifVA Figure l8 Ais a Osection1j/ algen through a cherryreceiving cup ,with a cherry shown in .the'a'ct of being turned to oneof'its nat sides so that its pit can be removed without the removal of'its`jstem. `Figure 9 is a section similar to that shown Vin `Figure A8 but with the cherry supported .at its stem and .owernds eCrQSS the'hrry'giving Acup and with .its relatively flat sides lying horizontal.

Figure lOisa'top plan view of one of the bars used in the execution of `rnyinvention.

Ihave ,foundthat if a cherry, regardless of the location of its stern end, is `placed in a cup or recess of lslightly largerudiarneterthan the cherry, as shown `in Figure 5, andthen a jethof Water or other vfluid under ahead lof from three to six .inches ,of water isintroduced upwardly against .the cherry ,through .a Small nipple extending slightly into the cup or recess as shown "in Figure 6, the .iet of water will causethe cherry to .turn Tor dancewithin the recess until it finally assumes Vthe position shown in Figure '7 with its stemend ,depression surrounding the protruding ,end of thenipple. When in this position there `is vfor some reason or other very little Aatmospheric pressure transmitted to the-lower face of the cherry, for it isheldin place hy'a downward- 1y .directed differential ,atmospheric p'res'sure yequivalenttosome;.tvventyfour Ainches of water.

This is readily demonstrated by permitting the cherry as above explained to assume the position shown in Figure '7 and then increasing the pressure of the water jet until the cherry is unseated. The column of water resulting from this jet will be found to be between twenty-four and thirtysix inches high. This action therefore affords `a very convenient method of automatically turning and centering cherries so that their pits can be removed through their stem ends by a pitter such as for example shown in the Ashlock Patent No. 2,157,518 of May 9, 1939.

` As shown in the various figures above described1 this principle has been embodied in an automatic 'machine comprising a generally rectangular frame or table formed with legs II, cross members I2 and sides I3. Y

Supported by and extending between the cross members I2 is a shelf I4 on which is mountedV a motor I5 and a Water pump I6 driven by a motor I1. Carried by the right hand end of the vtable as shown in Figure 2 is a cherry pitter I8 which per se, Vand except in the combination herein described, forms no part of the present invention and which may conveniently be made in accordance With the disclosure of the Ashlock patent above referred to.

Supported by a cross-member 2| and formed integral with the sides I3 is a water pan 22 communicating through suitable piping 23 with the intake 24 of the pump I6. Mounted above the pan 22 is an endless conveyor or carrier generally designated by the reference numeral 25 and comprising a plurality of parallel transversely extending bars 25. The bars 26 are secured at their ends by lugs 2 to the outer links 28 of a pair of spaced link belts or chains generally designated by the reference numeral 29. Journaled in the sides I3 at each end of the table are shafts 32 and 33, and keyed to each of these shafts is a pair of transversely spaced sprocket Wheels 34 and 35 on which the link belts 29 are carried. As indicated in Figure 2, the shaft 33 is driven by the motor I5 through a belt 36 passing over pulley wheels 37 and 38 associated respectively with the motor I5 and the shaft 33.

The bars 26 may be molded of rubber, each bar being provided on its upper face as shown in Figure 4 with a plurality of transversely aligned Vhemispherical cherry-receiving recesses or cups 4| and on its lower face with cylindrical counterbores or recesses 42. Embedded in each bar is a steel or brass stiffening member 26a. Establishing communication between each cherryreceiving recess 4| and its associated recess 42 is a circular aperture 43 having its axis in alignment with the center of the recess 4I.

Traveling within and in parti-al registration with the endless carrier 25 is a nipple carrier generally designated by the referencenumeral 5| and comprising a plurality of transverse parallel bars 52 secured at their ends by lugs 53 to the outer links 54 of transversely spaced endless link belts generally designated -by the reference numeral 55. Each of the belts 55 meshes at one end with a sprocket wheel 55 keyed to a shaft 5Icarried by the sides I3, and at its opposite end 'I'I and communicating with this channel are a plurality of upwardly extending transversely spaced nipples 'i2 threaded or otherwise secured to the upper face of the bar. As best shown in Figure 6, each nipple 12 is provided with a reducer or plug i2a formed with an angularly disposed restricted orirlce 12b. This orifice is angularly disposed so as to cause the stream of water passing through it to impinge upon the walls of the nipple rather than directly upon the cherry. The spacing of the nipples should be identical with the spacing of the apertures d3 formed in the bars 26 so that upon registration of the carriers 25 and 5| the upper ends of the nipples may be made to extend through the apertures 43 into the cherry-receiving cups or recesses 4I as shown in Figures l, 4, 6, and 7. The width of the bars 52 should be such that except when passing over their associated sprocket wheels, their sides will abut and form a substantially water-tight seal. For this reason these bars should be accurately machined and preferably covered with rubber. To permit water to pass through the nipple carrier 5|, each of the bars 52 is formed with notches 52a. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the longitudinal spacing of adjacent nipples 'I2 is identical with the spacing of the longitudinally adjacent cherry-receiving recesses 4I so that adjacent nipples have registration longitudinally as well as transversely with their corresponding cherry-receiving recesses. 'Ihe length of the nipples and the distance between the upper spans of the endless carriers should be such that the nipples when in their operative position extend slightly into the cherry-receiving recesses without preventing the stem end of the cherries from seating over the ends of the nipples on the base of the recesses 4|.

Registration of the two carriers 25 and 5I over a portion of their travel as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4 is eected by means of guides 8| and 82 carried by brackets 83 secured to the sides I3 and disposed beneath the upper portion of each of the four link belts.

Disposed beneath the upper portion of the nipple carrier 5| is a longitudinally extending channel-shaped water manifold 9| resiliently held against the lower faces of the bars 52 by springs 92 resting on cross members 93 carried by the sides i3. Lateral and longitudinal displacement of the manifold 9| is prevented by vertical guide rods 96 secured to the manifold with their lower ends passing through apertures formed in the cross members 93 as shown in Figures l, 2, and 4. Since a substantially water-tight seal should exist between the manifold 3| and the bars 52 passing over and in contact with the manifold, all contacting surfaces should preferably be rubber covered and accurately nished, and the contour of the guides 8| and 82 should be such that the bars 52 form a fiat bed when passing over the manifold 9|.

Communication between the manifold 9| and the transverse manifolds 7| of each of the bars 52 is established by apertures 95 formed in the lower wall of each of these bars.

The manifold 9| as shown in Figures 2 and 1 communicates through suitable piping 96 with a water supply tank 91 and may therefore be subjected to a constant water'head, preferably such that the pressure of the water-passing through the nipples 72 is equal to about three to six inches of water. The tank 91 communicates through a oat operated valve 98 and suitable piping 99 with the discharge side IUI 'of the pump I6. .It

will therefore be seen that the water passing -upwardly through the nipples 12 spills over the sides 'of the bars 26, through the notches 5-2a formed in `the bars 52 into the pan 22 and is then returned `'to the tank 91 for further use.

As shown in Figure 1, cherries are delivered -to each one of the recesses -4'I of the carrier 25 through an endless conveyor belt forming a part `of a cherry hopper ||2. This belt may be conveniently carried on either side by a link belt `or chain in mesh with sprocket wheels ||3, I|4 and `rI I5 keyed respectively to shafts IIB, ||1 and -I I8 journaled in the sides I9 of the hopper I I2.

Also journaled in the sides I9 is a shaft I2I to which is keyed a gear |22 in mesh with a gear |23 keyed to the shaft |I1. The shaft |2I is driven by a belt |24 passing over a pulley wheel |25 keyed to the shaft I2I and over a similar pulley 'wheel |25 keyed to the shaft 32. Formed in the conveyor |I-I are a plurality of circular apertures f|21 of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cherry-receiving recesses 4| and large enough to accommodate cherries with their stems attached. The apertures |21 are transversely and longitudinally aligned exactly to register with the recesses `4I `over the area in which 'the lower span of the conveyorV III overlaps the Vupper span `of the carrier 25; and the conveyor II I and carriers V25 and 5I are driven in synchronism with each other for the same reason.

Cherries are delivered to the `hopper I I2 through an opening |28 formed in one of the sides I|9 and are deflected to the central portion of the `hopper by an inwardly directed plate |29 supported at its lower end by va brace I3|. To prevent the cherries .from coming in contact with the sprocket wheels ||3 in the lower apex of the hopper, a guard |32 secured at either end to cross members I 33 is disposed within the hopper at this point. Secured below and in contact with the -lower span `of the conveyor III is a plate |34 carriedv by one of the cross members |33 and by the cross members |35 and |36. This plate therefore prevents cherries from passing through the apertures I 21 until they have reached a point above the carrier 25 in registration with the recesses 4I. Mounted to rotate in contact with the conveyor III is a brush |31 driven by a belt |38 passing over a pulley I4I keyed to the shaft II8.

This brush insures that cherries carried upwardly by the conveyor III are lodged within the apertures |21.

In some -cases the action of the jets passing through the nipples 12 is sufficient `to cause the cherries to jump their respective recesses and to avoid this a perforated guard or cup |5I is provided over each recess 4I. These guards may, as lbest shown in Figures l, 2, and 4, take the form of rectangular shells |52 provided with spaced partitions |53. Each shell is secured on either sideto a lug |54 carried by a link of a link belt |55 passing over sprocket wheels |58 and |51. These sprocket wheels are keyed to shafts |58 and |59 journaled in the sides I3. The shaft |59 is driven bya belt I 6I passing overa pulley wheel keyed to the shaft 33 `and over a pulley wheel |62 carried by ra shaft |53 journaled inthe sides I3. Keyedto the shaft |63 is a gear |64 in mesh with a `gear |65l keyed to the shaft |59. The gear ratios of all iof the gears vand. pulleys used are such that the guards |'5I travel in synchronism 'with th'ecarrier 25.

As indicated in Figure 2, the carrier 25 forms Ia part of and `passes throug-h the pitter I8 Awherel -in Vlthe "cherries Icarried by `and centered in the Aagainst the lower lsurface of the cherries.

recesses 4| are 'pitted by the action of plungers vor knives in the manner set forth in the Ashlock patent above referred to.

The machine as above described operates as follows:

Cherries fed to the hopper I|2 become lodged in the apertures |21 of the conveyor III and are -delivered to the carrier in registration with the recesses 4I.` 4Upon the continued advance of the carrier 25 in synchronism with the nipple carrier 5|, the 4nipples 1-2 come into registration with the apertures 43, extending slightly into the recesses 4|. The apertures ASI5 of the nipple bars 52 then 'pass over the -end of the manifold 9|, thereby permitting water under a hydrostatic head of three to six inches to pass through the manifold 1 I of the nipple bars and through the .nipples 12 The cherries are thereby caused to dance about within the recesses 4I `and within a Aperiod of several seconds become seated with their stem ends recessed over the ends of the nipples 12 as above y described. The water passing through the nipplesV and around the `cherries falls .by gravity through the spaces between the bars 25 and through the lateral openings .or notches 52a in the bars 52 Ainto .the pan 22 and from there is pumped into the tank 91 Afor further use. Communication between each of the nipple bars 52 and the ,manifold 9| is of course cut off as each bar passes over the right hand end of the manifold. The centered cherries then .pass on ,to the pittei` for the pitting operation.

In making maraschino cherries for cocktails -it is sometimes desirable to leave the stems in place and therefore cherries for this purpose should be pitted through their iiat sides. To accomplish this result, the machine as above described can be used by simply decreasing the extent to which the ends of the nipples 12 eX- tend into the recesses 4| and by decreasing the pressure of the water passing therethrough to two or three inches of water. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the nipples 12 should Vbe so adjusted that in their operative position they extend about le or le" above the floor of the recessesA/I rather than 1/8 as previously described.

As shown in Figure 8, the cherry I1I has assumed a position with its fiat sides parallel to the plane of the 'paper and with the sharp edge or 'suture v|12 of its pit |13 lying in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the paper. The action of the water passing through the nipple 12 floats the cherry, causing it to turn and assume the position as shown in Figure 9 with its stem and flower Aends supported by the sides Yof the recess 4| `and with its relatively flat sides lying in horizontal planes, that is, in planes perpendicular to the nipple l2.` In this position the sharp edge or suture |12 vof the pit |13 `lies in a vertical plane and consequently the pit (due to the action of the pitting knife or plunger) may be `made to cut a slit through the lower -wall of the cherry rather than punching out a cylinderor disc of cherry flesh. To obtain this `action it is important that the -lower side of the-cherry immediately above the aperture 43 be unsupported so that the central portion of the cherry-can be depressed to a slight extent.

From this description it will be noted that, depending upon the water pressure used and the level Vof .the nipple 12 above the bottom of the cups or recesses 4|, my device .can be `used to automatically turn vcherries So that 4their stem flat sides lie in planes perpendicular to the axis of the cups or recesses 4|.

For upending the. cherries a slightly greater fluid pressure and a longer interval of time are required than for turning them on their sides. The exact pressure required in each instance can be readily determined'by experimentation, and for this purpose a three inch head can be used as a starting point. Cherries can be upended in from one to ten seconds and can be turned on their flat sides in about one second. In upending cherries a nipple extending upwardly into the cup is essential whereas in turning cherries on their sides a short nipple is desirable but not necessary. The nipple may be made integral with the cup or as shown in the drawings made as a separate unit arranged toregister with the opening in the cup.

The restricted orice 12b associated with each of the nipples is highly desirable, for it causes a greater differential pressure on either end of the nipple, insuring the turning of the cherry. To obtain a current or jet or uid of a predetermined pressure passing through the discharge end of the nipple, it is of course necessary to have a greater pressure at the intake end of the nipple with the use of a restricted orice than without the use of such an orifice. When thereiol-e a cherry obstructs the nipple outlet, the back pressure which it creates does not materially alter the pressure at the intake side of the nipple. Consequently the pressure on the discharge end is immediately built up to a point where the cherry is turned. Without the use of a restricted orifice there is not a sucient differential pressure between the two ends of the nipple to bring about this action. A further need for a restricted orice results from the fact that one water manifold is used to feed several cups and that in some cases one or more of these cups may not have a cherry in them. By the use of a restricted orice the absence of one or more cherries does not appreciably alter theV pressure on the cherries accommodated in the remaining cups and consequently they are subjected to a substantially uniform action regardless of the absence of one or more cherries.

While my invention has been described with particular reference to cherries, other fruit may be centered in the same manner, and fluids other than water may be used as the operating medium.

I claim:

1. A fruit turning device comprising: a fruitsupporting member having an opening extending therethrough; means for maintaining a fruit substantially centered over said opening; and means for causing a jet of fluid to pass upward ly through said opening into contact with said fruit, said jet being under sufficient pressure to causeA the fruit to turn within the cup.

2. A fruit turning device comprising: a fruitreceiving cup slightly greater in diameter than the fruit which it is designed to accommodate; a central opening extending through the base of said cup; and means for causing a jet of fluid t pass upwardly through said opening under sufficient pressure to cause said fruit to turn within said cup.

3. A fruit turning device comprising: a fruitsupporting member; a nipple extending through said supporting member; means for maintaining a fruit substantially centered over said nipple;

-ends are downwardly directed or so that their and means for causing a current of fluid to pass upwardly through said nipple.

4. A fruit turning device comprising: an endless fruit conveyor; a series of longitudinally aligned and equally spaced fruit-receiving cups carried by said conveyor, and each formed with a central opening in its bottom; an endless nipple conveyor mounted for travel within and in synchronism with said fruit conveyor; a series of longitudinally aligned and equally spaced nipples carried by said nipple conveyor and arranged to extend through the central openings in the bottoms of said cups during a portion of the travel of said fruit conveyor; and means for successively establishing communication between said nipples and a source of fluid during a portion of the time that said nipples extend through said openings.

5. A fruit turning device comprising: an endless conveyor formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced fruit-receiving cups of generally hemispherical form; a nipple-receiving aperture formed in the bottom of each of said cups; a second endless conveyor arranged to travel within and in synchronism with said first mentioned endless conveyor; longitudinally spaced nipples carried by said second conveyor, arranged to register with said apertures during a portion 0f the travel of said endless conveyors; and means for causing a current of fluid to pass upwardly through said nipples while they are in registration with said apertures.

6. A fruit turning device comprising: an endless fruit conveyor; a series of longitudinally aligned, equally spaced fruit-receiving cups carried by said conveyor and each formed with a central opening in its bottom; an endless nipple conveyor mounted for travel within and in synchronism with said fruit conveyor; a series of longitudinally aligned and equally spaced nipples carried by said nipple conveyor and arranged to extend through the central openings in the bottoms of said cups during a portion of the travel of said fruit conveyor; a fluid chamber disposed within the locus of said nipple carrier; and means for successively establishing communication between each of said nipples and said fluid chamber.

'7. A fruit turning and centering device comprising: an endless fruit-turning conveyor formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced fruitreceiving cups; a central aperture formed in the bottom of each cup; a nipple arranged to register with each of said cups during a portion of the travel of said conveyor; means for causing a current of fluid to pass upwardly through said nipples during such registration and for turning and centering the said fruit; and a feed conveyor formed with longitudinally spaced fruit-receiving pockets arranged to register with said cups during a portion of the travel of said fruit-turning conveyor.

8. A fruit turning and centering device comprising: a fruit-receiving cup slightly greater in diameter than the fruit which it is designed t0 accommodate; an upwardly extending nipple associated with the bottom of said cup; and means for causing a current of fluid to pass upwardly through said nipple under suflicient pressure to cause said fruit to be oriented within said cup with its axis coincident with the axis of said cup.

9. A fruit turning and centering device comprising: a fruit-supporting member formed with a generally khemispherical fruit-receiving cup; and means for orienting said fruit within said fruit within said cup with its axis substantially coincident with the axis of the cup, comprising a nipple associated with the bottom of said cup, and means operable during a portion of the trave1 of said cup-to cause a slowly flowing current of iuid to pass upwardly through said nipple.

EDMOND R. DUDLEY, JR. 

